‘Beloved’ dad who volunteered to help at scene ID’d as man killed in Alaska landslide

A 42-year-old husband and father has been recognized as the person killed in a landslide in Ketchikan, Alaska, on Sunday, officers mentioned.

Sean Griffin, a Ketchikan native and member of the town’s public works crew for 17 years, was killed when he responded to assist throughout his scheduled time without work, in response to the Ketchikan Gateway Borough.

“Sean and one other crew member had been clearing stormwater drains after they had been caught within the landslide,” Ketchikan officers mentioned in a press release.

“Sean was a beloved husband, father, son, neighbor, and coworker,” Ketchikan officers mentioned. “He spent his life serving his household and his neighborhood. … He began as a strong waste collector, moved as much as strong waste facility operator, then to streets upkeep technician, and at last promoted to senior upkeep technician. “

“Sean is remembered for his dedication, constructive spirit, and unwavering devotion to his household, his pals, and to the neighborhood,” the assertion mentioned.

Obligatory evacuations had been put in place after the landslide swept by streets on Sunday afternoon, in response to Kacie Paxton, a public data officer for the Ketchikan Gateway Borough.

Three individuals had been injured and hospitalized following the landslide, in response to Paxton. A type of individuals was later launched, she mentioned.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued an Alaska Catastrophe Emergency Declaration. A separate Joint Catastrophe Emergency Declaration was issued by borough Mayor Rodney Dial and metropolis of Ketchikan Mayor Dave Kiffer.

“In my 65 years in Ketchikan, I’ve by no means seen a slide of this magnitude,” Kiffer mentioned in a press release. “With the slides we’ve got seen throughout the area, there’s clearly a region-wide challenge that we have to attempt to perceive with the assist of our state geologist.”

“The lack of life that we’ve got encountered is heartbreaking, and my coronary heart goes out to those that misplaced their properties,” he added.

Pictures launched by the borough appeared to point out a pile of bushes and free soil up towards a number of hillside properties, a minimum of one among which appeared to have been pushed into one other dwelling. Different images appeared to point out roads lined with particles, together with bushes.

“Our prayers are with the households, the injured, these recovering, and the neighborhood,” Sen. Dan Sullivan mentioned on social media, later including, “My crew and I stand prepared to assist facilitate any federal help which may be needed.”

This landslide comes as Ketchikan noticed about 3 inches of rain this month — about half its common rainfall for August.

Ketchikan acquired over 2.5 inches of rainfall over this weekend, and better elevations within the Ketchikan Vary reported 5 to 9 inches of rain. An excessive amount of rain directly after a drier interval may cause a landslide.

The rain continued on Monday however is forecast to dry off by Tuesday. Extra rain is predicted Wednesday and Thursday as a brand new frontal system strikes in.

Landslides are widespread in southeast Alaska. Six individuals had been killed, together with an 11-year-old lady, in a serious landslide in Wrangell, about 100 miles north of Ketchikan, final November.

ABC Information’ Emily Shapiro contributed to this report.